From the rough part to the finished Crankcase or Cylinder Head

A key feature of these flexible manufacturing systems is parallel working CNC machine tools for each process step. The individual process steps are combined in standardized manufacturing cells. Every machine tool inside the manufacturing cell has the same machining task. In case one machine goes down it does not lead automatically to the complete standstill of the production line. The amount of machines inside a cell is based on the required cycle time. The limit in general is the maximum capacity of the tool magazine of the machines. Additional machining tasks or shorter cycle times can be achieved fairly easily by adding more machines to the manufacturing cell. This type of system clearly has a tremendous advantage in productivity in comparison of fixed linked serial systems. An overall efficiency of the complete system between 80% and 90% is very common.

he linear gantry ensures free access to the individual machines. Interlocked loading hatches at the top of the machines, allow safe access to the manufacturing cell even in automatic mode. Thus it is possible to do preventive maintenance or repair work on individual machines without stopping the entire production line.

For quality inspections, each manufacturing cell has a SPC station, where parts can be completely automatically removed or reintroduced to the system. The part tracking is of special importance at parallel working machines. RFID tags or simple marking systems are allowing to control the complete manufacturing history of each individual work piece. Felsomat offers as an option the possibility to connect the system to a central production computer system, which can store all collected date and allows a part tracking at any time.

For quality inspections, each manufacturing cell has an SPC station where parts can be autmatically removed or reintroduced to the system. Part tracking is of special importance at parallel working machines. RFID tags or simple marking systems enable control of the complete manufacturing history of each individual work piece. Felsomat offers as an option the possibility to connect the system to a central production computer system, which can store all collected date and allows part tracking at any time. Roller conveyors as buffers are leading automatically to the FIFO principle of material logistics. The down side of this principle is the long through put time of the individual component. Opposite to this directed material flow, Felsomat is offering with the use of the logistics module as buffer cells and logistics gantries for the material flow, the free choice between FIFO and LIFO strategies. Especially for the request of an extremely flexible production plan, batch size 1 is easily possible. The later integration of additional machine tools or operations in the process chain is possible at any time.

The use of adapter plates secures the integration of future part types without changeover of the existing system.

With Felsomat automation solutions you are well prepared for the future.